Hundreds Gather outside Lurie Children’s Hospital to Protest Youth Gender Care Change: "I Want My Healthcare"
Hundreds Gather to Protest Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Decision
Noella McMaher, an eighth grader, was excited about having most of this week off between parent-teacher conferences and snow days. It meant more time for games like Roblox and Minecraft, her favorites. But she spent her Saturday helping to lead a protest of hundreds gathered across the street from Lurie Children’s Hospital, protesting its recent decision to end gender-affirming surgeries for patients 19 and younger.
"What they’re doing isn’t right," Noella told the Sun-Times. "Children are being harmed by this, they aren’t getting what they need. Even people who aren’t children anymore."
"Noella McMaher, 13, stands next to parent Asher McMaher at the microphone at a protest against Lurie Children’s Hospital."
A New Order from the White House
An executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on January 28, authorized federal agencies to end research and education grants for institutions that provide gender-affirming care for patients 19 and younger. The order removed such care from state-funded coverage and called on the Department of Justice to pursue litigation to oppose it.
Protesters Speak Out
During the demonstration, several speakers addressed the crowd, including one woman whose son had his care denied after the policy change at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Other parents didn’t speak out of fear for their safety, but instead had an organizer read statements to the crowd.
A mother of a transgender child addresses a crowd of hundreds at a protest against Lurie Children’s Hospital’s decision to end gender affirming surgeries for patients 19-years and younger.
Northwestern Medicine and University of Illinois Health Also End Gender-Affirming Care
Many at the protest said Northwestern Medicine had also ended gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19. Northwestern didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. A former Lurie Children’s gender-care patient told the Sun-Times that his appointment at Northwestern, which he had scheduled after the Lurie Children’s policy change, had been canceled Friday afternoon.
Illinois Attorney General and 14 Other Attorneys General Vow Support for Gender-Affirming Care
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 14 other attorneys general recently vowed support for gender-affirming care. Illinois law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity by healthcare providers and requires state-regulated insurance plans to cover hormone therapy and shields Illinois providers and patients from legal actions from other states.
Tommy King’s Story
Tommy King, a 16-year-old trans boy from Naperville, said he was denied approval for gender-affirming care by Lurie Children’s Hospital, and later Planned Parenthood, because his estranged father wouldn’t approve of the care his doctors had determined he needed.
"I was told they couldn’t go all in for one person if it meant they couldn’t protect others," Tommy said. "I had to sacrifice my opportunity to be affirmed and feel comfortable in my body and not hate myself every day."
Hundreds Gather outside Lurie Children’s Hospital
Hundreds gathered at a protest outside Lurie Children’s Hospital after the healthcare facility’s decision to end gender affirming surgeries for patients 19-years and younger.
Conclusion
The protest outside Lurie Children’s Hospital was a testament to the strength and resilience of the trans youth community and their allies. Despite the challenges they face, they continue to fight for their right to healthcare and self-determination. As Tommy King said, "I want my healthcare, and I want to be recognized as a human being. We got through it before, so we can get through it again. Even if it doesn’t get better for a bit, I know that it will."
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the protest?
The purpose of the protest is to raise awareness about the importance of gender-affirming care for trans youth and to push back against the decision by Lurie Children’s Hospital to end gender-affirming surgeries for patients 19 and younger. - What is the impact of the White House’s anti-trans policies on trans youth?
The White House’s anti-trans policies have created a hostile environment for trans youth, making it harder for them to access the healthcare they need to live healthy and happy lives. - What can be done to support trans youth?
One way to support trans youth is to advocate for policies that promote equality and inclusivity, such as gender-affirming care and non-discrimination protections. Individuals can also show up and stand in solidarity with trans youth, like the hundreds who gathered outside Lurie Children’s Hospital.
